Ruby

The color of ruby is blood red, usually marked with a star mark when it is termed as star ruby. Ruby, along with sapphire, is the second hardest gemstone after diamond. Garnet or ruby is believed to have been the legendary carbuncle that forms the bowl of ruby of the Holy Grail that housed Christ’s blood.

Legendary Significance

The term ‘ruby’ is said to have derived from the Latin root word ‘rubeus’ which means ‘red’. The very beauty and rarity of the gemstone is what made the Greeks term it as the mother of all precious stones. According to Aristotle, one of the precious gems looks like blood; it is known as the ‘rubinus’, and happens to be the best of all. The Romans believed the ruby to resemble a red flower among all the stones. They attribute ‘eros’ or sensual love to the stone along with ‘agape’ or spiritual love. Thus, ruby is a combination of crystallized divine love. The thinkers of the Middle Ages believed that ruby protected man against the Plague. With the color becoming darker, ruby allowed the wearer to flee another place on insistence of the plague. They returned to their place of origin once the hue turned lighter.

Properties for Healing

Ruby is said to enhance sexual energy once moved to and fro near the genitals. It is effective in strengthening the immunity against infection and diseases, bettering the heart and circulation, by fighting low blood pressure. Ruby when worn as jewelry is said to alleviate visual ailments. It is the stone of good luck, courage and sensitivity in a relationship.

Charisma of Ruby

The redness of ruby signifies passion and love, strong feelings and vitality.

Connotation of Chakra

The stone is highly effective in the heart and root chakras.

Suitable Star Signs

Ruby is said to be the stone for Aries.

Uses and Application

These gemstones need to be discharged twice a month under running water, and recharged in sunlight for a couple of hours.

Quick Facts

Found: India, Thailand, Myanmar, Siberia, Brazil, Siam, Sri Lanka

Colors: Rarely and hardly translucent

Chemical Composition: Al2O3 + Cr

Density: 9

Availability: Jewelry cuts or for laying on the body

Crystallization: Ruby belongs to the corundum family; it is a trigonal crystallized version of aluminum trioxide. The color of the stone comes from chromium traces with concentric rutile needles allowing the stone to be severed like a star